Spain were already qualified for the Second Round so had the luxury of resting a few players.

-- GOAL -- 0-1
As early as the fifth minute, Andre Arendse failed to get his body behind a through ball,
on the edge of his area, and Raúl was on hand to pull the ball away from
him..... and stroll in one of Spain's easiest goals.

South Africa tried to reply as quick as possible and Iker
Casillas was forced to punch away Ntuthuko Sibaya's shot to keep them out.

Spain had to pass the ball around quickly as South Africa
pressed them and forced unnecessary errors.

On the half hour, Arendse made an excellent reflex save,
from Mendieta's powerful header, to redeem himself for his earlier mistake.

-- GOAL -- 1-1
And almost immediately South Africa leveled the score at the other end.... Siyabonga
Nomvete headed down a right-wing cross to Benedict McCarthy, who volleyed
past the approaching Casillas -- 31 mins.

Gaizka Mendieta worked hard in midfield as he tried to
stake a claim for a regular place in the knockout stage.

-- GOAL -- 1-2
Just before half-time Mendieta left Andre Arendse flat-footed, as he
drove a free-kick through the space Raúl made.... by dropping off the wall and taking his
marker with him.

Half-time: South Africa 1 -- Spain 2

If Slovenia beat Paraguay (they were leading 1-0 at
half-time) South Africa would be through, even if they lost.

-- GOAL -- 2-2Lucas Radebe brought South Africa back into the game after heading in
Romero's attempted headed clearance; from a corner -- 53 mins.

A win for South Africa would pair them with Ireland.....
and Spain with Germany.

-- GOAL -- 2-3Raúl must have thought about that too, as he ran behind Lucas Radebe to
head Spain back into the lead -- 56 mins.

Ten-man Paraguay leveled the score against Slovenia on 66
minutes. Another goal for Paraguay, and one more for Spain, then Paraguay and South Africa
would have to draw lots.

While Spain appeared the more likely to score --
substitutes Alberto Luque and Luis Enrique both going close, shortly after coming on --
Paraguay were making sure of their own destiny.... and with ten men, led Slovenia by three
goals to one with seven minutes to go.

South Africa looked as though they were not aware of what
was happening in the other game as they lacked urgency to get the equaliser with only two
minutes left on the clock.